It was hard to put a finger on it earlier, but O'Korn's play put the comparison in clear relief. Speight was hesitant and cautious. There were some reasons for this - the inconsistent o-line play, the two pick sixes in the first game, and maybe added pressure of being the leader of a young team. Compared to O'Korn's ability to just go "make plays," something was amiss for Speight. These things can be fixed, but as the OP says, O'Korn should have the keys now.

I agree, but would also add the Penn State annihilation game to the list. Considering the stakes, the location, and the opponent (PSU had won the previous three in a row), it was the team's best performance of the year. Sure, PSU choked hard agianst MSU a few weeks later, and didn't really show up to their bowl game (which I think Curtis Enis missed due to receiving a suit from an agent?).

OF COURSE we all know that Brian knows who The Killers are and the song "Mr. Brightside." And OF COURSE his comment was that he was surprised that the current students know the song let alone sing alont.

BUT, not for one second do I believe that Brian doesn't know who Randy Newman is.

The guy is getting special critcism because of the severity of the impacts of his mistakes. The question is whether he can either correct them (ideally!) or at least improve his accuracy. People are always going to be too hard on the quarterback, especially in this day and age - even when it's Tom Brady. And really whatever online complaints are made don't really matter. O'Korn is not the answer. Peters apparently is not either. So we ride with Wilt.

Part of the reason for this focus is because as he goes so will go the team. If he can improve that accuracy, the ceiling for the team gets raised significantly. Part of the problem is that the D has surpassed expectations and raised the notion of a B1G championship and playoff appearance. But that's only realistic if he and the o-line improve.

...is a small part of the reason Clemson is my second favorite. More that I had a fantastic visit there for one of the last "Bowden Bowl" games, watching from the hill. Great, welcoming fans, and a fantastic place to see a game.

But it doesn't hurt that they always seem to take OSU apart in various ways. Por ejemplo:

With only 12 completions total on the day, five of them went to TEs. (McKeon had the other three.) No idea who else was targeted, but Gentry and (I think) Bunting were out in routes during the game. Wheatly played a ton, but seemed to stay in to help block quite a bit.

Amazing that you can get these done. I've got a nearly 4yo and a 14month-old, and well, I was lucky just to find the time to read this.* Great post as always!

One quibble - Bush's hit was clearly out of bounds, and with no attempt by him to slow down. I don't think it was targeting as the contact was made with his shoulder pad, not his helmet, but he needs to know where that sideline is and find control. The (lousy) refs nearly tossed him, and his post-game comments indicate that he would simply accept such a decision with indignance. But it affects the whole team. I love the attitude in pursuit and the way he tackles, but had he been ejected, the whole game would have been much harder.

I was also irritated by Perry's ball-spin. It led to the first pick-six,, which may have not made it all the way back fifteen yards farther down field. And he spun it again later as if to object, but only a bit less blatantly. I don't agree with the rule, but again violating the rule affects the success of the team. Just dumb

I'm a fan of Stew Mandel, and he's landed there after the FoxSportsVideoContentRulez axing. Sure, he occasionally riles Brian (and probably every other fan of any given team at any given time). He's a good writer who strives for an objective viewpoint.

More importantly, I think we should put our money where our mouths are and support this kind of endeavor. Much like we look for ways to support the MGoBlog guys (beveled guilt is right here), a $5 per month subscription supports ad-free, intelligently written content. That alone is worth trying them out this season.

You guys kept it mostly to the immediate here-and-now or immediate future. Things will keep changing ever more quickly. We've already gone past the information age and into the attention age. Clickbait and its siblings will dominate much more over the next 10 years, and will evolve to become even more invasive and attractive to humans. The average person's time is more crowded than ever with all media competing for attention. (Think about how many books you're reading now vs just five years ago...)

I think that MGoBlog is a true exception that is in part a lucky confluence:

Brian's talent, passion, and conviction.

As noted, the uniqueness of the Michigan fan base money-cannon and ability/desire to read with critical thought

The "moment" when blogging basically went extinct and Brian taking this endeavor forward at the right time. Maybe less important, but my point is that it was built from something naturally, not a New Coke kind of launch.

Primary focus being on a sport that attracts a certain type of fanatic, one that prefers stories and information over clickbait. (Have there ever been any good NFL team blogs?)

The benefit of the wider Michigan universe, principally the other sports, but the University and Ann Arbor culture provides a ready-made community based on shared experience

I don't expect that other sites can repeat this roadmap unless they have the same kinds of conditions.

I am grateful for this site every day. Having moved out of the country in 2008, it has been a true lifeblood for me in connecting back to the football team and university in general throughout that time. Thanks guys!